16. Crystal
16
CRYSTAL
Eighteen months later
I stare down at my wedding dress, unable to fathom that the big day is finally here.
When Ryder proposed, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I’ve always imagined my wedding day, though back when I was a teenager, I thought it would be in a church. Maybe we’d have the reception at the country club, or some other nice restaurant. But when Ryder suggested we have it at the clubhouse, I wasn’t sure at first. Somehow though, all of my friends, including Liliana, Summer and Deanna from the Bracken Ridge Rebels MC in Arizona, and my sister and Jas, helped put it together. I have the best friends in the world.
After I healed from my kidnapping, Ryder and I moved into a new place together. I didn’t want to be away from him, and he felt the same way. Things moved fast. We fell madly in love and didn’t want to wait another second. Especially now that I’m pregnant.
I’m showing, heavily, but I love it. I have no clue what I deserved to have a husband and a baby on the way, but I’m so thankful for each and every blessing.
What that man did for me you wouldn’t read about in any fairytale. He really is my knight in shining armor. Even though we’ve had our struggles, we’re still here, every single day, showing up for one another.
I went off birth control six months after we got together because we both wanted kids eventually, and I never expected to get pregnant so fast. We’d already planned the wedding so when I found out I was going to be a mom, we both wanted to be married before he was born.
The Devils Ink — well, there’s a story. Cash ended up dealing with his stepbrother in the worst possible way, but it had to be done. The Devils Ink are no longer. And as for Rifle? I never asked Ryder what happened. He supposedly died in an explosion, but I can’t be sure. To be honest, I didn’t want to know.
He was on the run for a while, coming and going from the Devils Ink. They still welcomed him back knowing what he’d done to me, because men like them don’t care. They sell drugs, guns and traffic people — why would they care? The best thing that happened to New Orleans was getting rid of that motorcycle club. They say the mob were worse, but I beg to differ.
I run my hands over my belly as I stare at myself. My dress is beautiful; a long, white mermaid style with bling all over it. The neckline is high, and I love the lace sleeves. My hair is swept to one side, caught with a clasp. We’re going to be married in Cash’s rose garden. Since I pride myself in being the one taking care of the gardens around here to give me something to do, it was the perfect place for a wedding marquee. I planned on taking maternity leave from my job, but realized early on that I want to be at home raising our son.The pregnancy has been difficult, but I’m so ready to finally meet the little guy. I’ve also been bored out of my mind because I’ve already transformed our house with the nursery. It’s all ready to go. So, Cash let me resurrect the clubhouse gardens to keep me out of trouble; his words are kind of rude if you ask me. But it gave me a sense of purpose, and I love seeing things grow. It’s like the child in my belly; each day is another day closer to bloom.
“Knock, knock.” Deanna smiles as she enters the room. “How are you doing, babe? You ready?”
I asked the girls to give me a few moments alone to gather myself. I’ve waited a long time for this day, and now that it’s here, I want to run down the aisle toward my husband. Not that I can run; waddle may be a better term. Ryder doesn’t care. He loves me this big, and wants to expand our family with at least one more. I smile when I think about how sweet and nurturing my man has been since we found out we were pregnant. He’s really stepped up to the plate; massaging my swollen feet, making dinner when I’m too tired to get up, bringing me drinks and snacks when I’m a whale on the couch. He’s the best.
I turn to face D. “I’m ready.”
“You look… fucking amazing!” Tears well in her eyes.
“Oh God, not you too! Mom was just in here and she ruined her makeup.”
“I know, Lily had to fix it,” Deanna laughs while dabbing her eyes with a tissue. “Now you’re making me all mushy.”
I pull her into my arms for a hug, even though the baby bump gets in the way. “He’s been kicking a lot today,” I say when we pull apart. “I think he knows what a big day it is for his mommy and daddy.”
Deanna stands back, a huge smile on her face. “You guys are gonna be the best parents. Ryder is the sweetest. Maybe I’ll snag a man of my own while I’m down here.” She leans in closer. “I think I have a crush on Cash.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard her say that. Deanna is a flirt by nature, but she only has eyes for Cash. I have no fucking clue how that will go down if her parents find out. Cash and Hutch are best friends and used to be in the same club together in Arizona long before the Rebels existed. Not that Cash knew D while she was growing up; he was in New Orleans long before then. But she’s twenty-six now, and when she goes after something, she doesn’t stop.
“You have a crush on someone every week.” I roll my eyes.
She playfully swats me. “I do not!”
“Really?”
“I’ve always liked older guys. There’s something kinda mysterious about a silver fox, especially one as sexy as Cash. That man shouldn’t be legal. Plus, he’d have tons of experience if you know what I mean.” She wags her eyebrows, causing me to laugh out loud.
“You’re hopeless. Honestly, D, you keep me entertained.”
“Glad I’m useful for something,” she laughs. “Now. This is your big day. What do we need? You’ve got tissues, your flowers are ready — ooh, I need to fix your veil!”
Summer, Lily and Casey all lurk in the doorway.
“Is she ready?” Lily calls.
They watch Deanna help me with the veil and then I turn toward them.
“Oh, you’re so beautiful,” Summer whispers.
“You look amazing, sis,” Casey agrees.
“I’m going to cry!” Lily presses both her hands to her mouth. “Weddings make me sappy!”
“What are all you girls gabbling abou—” My dad shakes his head, grinning when he appears in the doorway. Then his eyes find mine. “Crystal, you look… you look beautiful.” He slides one finger under his eye, then the other.
“Dad! Not you too!” I feel a lump in my throat.
“What?” He moves towards me, looking dapper in his suit. “It’s not every day your child gets married.”
“We’ll be right out here.” Deanna pats me on the arm.
I smile as the girls leave the room.
“Thanks Dad, for making amends with Ryder.” My words are soft. It was always my dream to marry Ryder, to be his girl, and now that it’s finally happening and my family can be with us to celebrate, means the world to me.
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world. Ryder has stepped up to the plate, he takes good care of you, and that’s how it should be,” he goes on. “Nothing makes me and your mom happier than seeing you happy, and now you have a baby on the way.”
“I love you, Dad.” That's all I can manage. “I’m going to be the best wife and mom I can be.”
He pulls me into a hug, kissing the top of my head. “I know that. You’ll both be amazing parents. I love you more than you’ll ever know,” he says. “When you have your own child, you’ll understand why we did some of the things we did. Did we get everything right? Heck no, but your children are the most precious things on earth. It’s a different kind of love.”
“Dad, you’re going to make me ball!”
He smiles, righting himself. “Okay, enough of the soppy stuff. May I?” He gestures to my veil.
I nod. “Yes, Dad, I’m ready.”
He gently moves the veil so it covers my face. “You’re so beautiful, honey. I’m so proud of you. Ryder is one lucky man.”
He holds the crook of his arm toward me, and I link my arm through his.
I take deep breaths, and when Lily passes me my bouquet as we step out into the hallway, I feel a rush of love that touches me right down to my toes.
When I see Ryder at the end of the aisle, wearing his finest black pants, white shirt, and his MC cut, my heart jolts. The music starts and we walk towards him. Everyone turns to look at us as we make our way to him. My groom.
Ryder wipes his eyes as I move closer, his eyes never leave mine.
When we get there, Dad kisses my cheek, turns and shakes Ryder’s hand. “She’s yours now, Ryder. To hold, love and protect. Welcome to the family, son.”
Ryder stares at my dad, his hand still firmly in his. His voice thick when he says, “Thank you, sir.”
Dad takes my hand and places it over Ryder’s, then he takes his leave.
“I love you, wife ,” Ryder whispers. “You look fucking amazing.”
I smile. “I love you, too, husband .”
Nothing could ever top this day, and when I feel the baby kick, I know he agrees. Or maybe he’s ready to top our big day with his entrance. Either way, I’m the happiest girl in the world.
Ryder
Two years after the wedding
“Bro? It’s me,” Bronco says down the phone.
“Yeah, I have caller ID, asshole. What’s up?”
“I hope you’re sittin’ down. I’ve got some news.”
I sit up straight. “Is it Crystal? Ade? Are they okay?” I stand, pulling my phone away from my ear as I check my text messages. Crystal is off getting the baby ready for the christening. We waited, for what reason I don’t know, but Crystal wants to do this, so I’m on board.
“She’s fine. Fuck, Ryd, you’re gonna kill me for sayin’ this, and you’re also gonna kill me if I don’t.”
“So spit it out, I haven’t got all day.”
He takes a deep breath and I know this must be heavy. “It’s Rifle.”
I stop in my tracks. “What about him?” I can feel the blood curdling in my veins at the mere mention of his name. Not today of all days.
“He’s been spotted back in town.”
“Get fucked.”
“I’m serious.”
“Where?”
“You know after what happened, Jett made it his mission in life to keep tabs on him,” Bronco goes on. “When we all thought he died in the explosion a year ago, well, that clearly wasn’t true. He must’ve gotten away.”
The Devils Ink continues to be a thorn in all our sides. Cash and the club have had beefs with them over the years, but their time is coming.
I close my eyes, trying to tamper down my anger. “He’s back in town on my fucking baby’s christening day?”
“Which is why I thought it was a bad idea to tell you. Jett doesn’t think he knows about the baby stuff, but if we don’t act now?—”
“I’m on my way. Give me the address.”
“He’s stayin’ at the Highway Hotel?—”
I end the call. That’s all I need to know. This fucker has had his day of reckoning, and that day is today.
I’m gonna have blood on my hands, and that can’t be helped. This bastard has continued to plague my every waking thoughts for years. Sometimes I’ve imagined what I would do to him in great detail, and I don’t even feel bad about it. Feeding him alive to the alligators out in the bayou would be way too kind. And I’m not a kind man, not where my wife and baby are concerned.
My phone buzzes again. I pick up when I see it’s Bronco. “What?”
“Nice, hangin’ up on me, dickface. I was about to say don’t go over there until one of us is with you. Still tryin’ to get hold of Cash.”
“If you wanna be helpful, call Tag and Harlem and tell them to get the warehouse ready. I wanna do this slowly,” I say.
“Ryd, I get you want this over with, but the christenin’ is in two hours.”
“Then you better get your ass into gear.” I sneer. “You know I’ve been waitin’ years to do this. What better way to avenge my wife than to fuck him up today of all days. It’s a sign.”
“Just don’t go crazy until we grab him. I know you. You’ll act in haste then we’ll have to sweep the entire motel for fingerprints and evidence.”
“Wastin’ time talkin’.” I grab my keys off the hook and head outside toward my sled.
“I want this motherfucker before he gets anywhere near my family ever again.”
“That’s not gonna happen. Devils don’t even want him back.”
I snort. “That explains his absence all these years. He doesn’t have family here, but I wouldn’t put it past him to come snoopin’ around.”
“He won’t get the chance. Wait for me to get there. I gotta call Cash.”
“How far out are you?”
“Twenty.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen. I’m not waitin’, Bronc. He’s mine.”
“You don’t even know his room number.”
“Won’t be hard to find out. I’m the VP of this club, I don’t need to ask Cash shit. He’ll understand. He’s been here.”
Cash and Deanna are now a couple after she spent some time here, escaping from a bad situation back in Bracken Ridge. Can’t say Hutch was too pleased about it, but they seem to have buried the hatchet. I became VP after taking a bullet that was meant for Cash. We joke that I'm his personal bodyguard/VP. Any one of the brothers in this club would do the same for each other. That’s how we all roll.
I hang up again, shoving my phone into my back pocket. I crack my neck, sliding a leg over my motorcycle. Today, I’m gonna ride like I never have before.
Our club motto is Ride or Die , and that’s never been more apparent than it is right now.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins at what I’m about to do. About what justice looks like. This asshole has had it coming, and if vigilante justice is what it takes to make sure that he stays dead this time, then that’s what I’m gonna do.
The slimy weasel has the audacity to look surprised when I turn the door of the motel and walk right on in. I was expecting to either shoot the handle off or kick the damn door in, but the stupid fuck left the door unlocked.
He also makes the fatal mistake of hesitating. When I see his glock on the end of the bed out of his reach, I grin.
I hold my gun, aiming at his head as he raises his hands. “Jimmy. We meet again.”
“Who the fuck are you?” he grits.
The years haven’t been kind to him, that much is certain. He’s unkempt, unshaven, looks strung out, and there are bottles of empty whiskey strewn all around the room. Untidy fucker.
“Funny, you don’t remember me, asshole, but you might remember my ol’ lady, Crystal?”
He frowns, then recognition dawns on him and he scowls. “That stupid bitch I fucked up? Yeah, you’re right, I remember her. Should’ve choked the life out of her when I had the cha—” I fire. The gun makes no sound since I borrowed one of Riot’s silencers a while back. I don’t need the fucking cops crawling all over the joint.
I hit him in the shoulder, careful not to kill him. Oh, no that’ll come later.
He howls in pain as I put the safety on and shove the gun in the back of my jeans. Then I pounce. I lay into him with punch after punch until I’m on top of him, pounding his face in. He tries to cover himself, but there’s blood pouring everywhere. Not what I fucking need.
“You wanna try that again, asshole?”
“She… she was a liability. I got good money for her, but because I fucked her face up so good, nobody wanted to pay top dollar.”
I put my hands around his neck and choke him. He struggles, trying to buck me off, but I’m too strong for him. And I’ve been preparing for this day for the last three years. I let go, sucker punching him in the gut over and over, then I resume my strangulation. This shit is fun.
The fact this bastard waltzes into my city, acting as if nothing’s wrong, thinking he can just pick up where he left off… it fuels my rage.
“Should’ve stayed away,” I growl. “Should’ve fuckin’ stayed the fuck away!”
I press down harder as he snarls and growls, almost passing out, then I let go. He chokes, gasping for air, but I’m not done. Realizing I’m not gonna make it to the warehouse, I pull the blade from my boot. I slash across his face. “This is for markin’ my girl.”
He howls in pain and I elbow him in the nose. He’s gasping now, disorientated from the lack of oxygen, the bullet wound and my blows. “I didn’t?—”
“Don’t,” I warn. “Save it for the grim fuckin’ reaper because he’s the only one you’re gonna be answerin’ to where you’re goin’.” I stab him in the side as he bucks, then right into his wound. The howl could be heard in Baton Rouge, so I cover his mouth with one bloodied hand. Then I press down on his larynx with my elbow. His eyes bulge, and he has one last attempt at struggling, but he’s no match for me. I watch in sweet relief as the life drains out of him. His pupils dilated as he chokes, taking his last breath as I push down harder until he stops moving.
I spit in his face, shoving off him as I wipe my bloodied hands on his shirt.
When I turn, I see Bronco, Priest and Nevada in the doorway.
“I brought the truck, but it looks like you need a body bag, my bad,” Nevada quips.
“Jesus, Ryd,” Bronco moans. “You really couldn’t wait till the warehouse?”
I stand, pulling my knife out of his stomach, also wiping that on his shirt, sticking it back into my holster.
“No,” I say. “I couldn’t.”
“Gonna have to get this shit cleaned up, make it look like he checked out,” Priest says.
“I’ll call the prospects. They can have the fun task of blood removal from the linoleum.”
“Could've been worse.” I shrug. “Least there’s no carpet.”
“You okay?” Bronco asks in all seriousness.
I nod. “Yeah, I’m better now.”
“Good, because you gotta get cleaned up and pick up the baby’s smash cake from Sweet Treats before they close.”
I’ve never killed anyone with my bare hands like that before, but there is a sense of calm that comes with taking out a piece of scum like him. As though I’ve personally done the world a favor from this scumbag ceasing to exist.
I might not be rewarded in heaven, but I’ll certainly feel better about keeping the streets safe from pieces of shit like him.
My priorities haven’t changed over the years; if anything I’ve only grown even more protective of my family. Having kids changes you in all kinds of ways. The terror of anything happening to them is unimaginable.
But this? This was for my wife.
Justice has been served.